Genetic Determinants of the Antiviral Immune Response in Oceanian Populations

Oceania's populations, including Melanesians, are paying a heavy price for dengue fever, which has been circulating actively in the region since the Second World War. In New Caledonia (NC), the incidence of dengue fever is higher among municipalities predominantly populated by Melanesians, suggesting that Melanesians may have an increased susceptibility to symptomatic dengue fever. Differences in antiviral immune responses between populations of different geographical origins are partly the result of population-specific immune regulatory variants. In turn, viruses have imposed considerable selective pressure on human populations. Although crucial to understanding their susceptibility to viral infections, the genetic determinants of the antiviral immune response of Oceanians remain to be characterized.

In this context, the hypothesis is that the genetic origin of Oceanians, and Melanesians in particular, has shaped their antiviral immune response and contributes to their greater susceptibility to certain viral infections. The aim is to characterize the immune response to pathogens affecting the New Caledonian population, and in particular to dengue virus, of Melanesian and European populations, and to identify its genetic determinants. It will be explored whether saliva can be used as a non-invasive sample to study the seroprevalence of dengue in Oceanian populations.